DHL launches cross-border ecommerce return service

DHL Global Mail has launched a new international returns service for ecommerce merchants around Europe. The company said today its DHL Easy Return service promises a simplified process for shipping back goods up to 31.5kg in weight, with a standardised process across Europe should allow retailers to manage return volumes from almost all EU countries with less effort.

Distance sellers will be able to use a special software platform and web portal to provide returns labels for their customers, or have their customers create and print returns labels themselves from a special web portal.

The web portal available in English, French, German and Dutch languages.

The DHL Easy Return service also promises a convenient option for consumers to send off return parcels via DHL’s network of 80,000 drop-off points.

Consumers in 19 European countries can send back their returns through the service at the moment, with the service expanding to all 27 EU countries by the end of this year.

More countries, outside of the EU, will be added soon, the company said.

Thomas Kipp, CEO of DHL Global Mail, said that the international business-to-consumer parcel market was growing rapidly, but there were still some major obstacles to overcome for online retailers offering cross-border shipping.

“With DHL Easy Return, we simplify the return process, lower costs for the retailer and make it more convenient for the consumers to return parcels,” he said.

According to DHL, the service offers three to 12 day transit times, can be made available free-of-charge to consumers, with billing on actual returns and flexible delivery options.